Violence and confusion erupted at an aid distribution site run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Tel al-Sultan on Tuesday. Thousands of desperate Palestinians overwhelmed the area, tearing down fences and climbing over barriers, leading to Israeli troops firing warning shots and a temporary withdrawal by American contractors. The GHF acknowledged the situation and said it had pulled back temporarily to prevent casualties, in line with its safety protocols.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of an 11-week Israeli blockade that has pushed over two million Palestinians toward famine. Humanitarian aid only resumed the previous week after a prolonged halt. Despite the resumption, access remains limited and chaotic, with aid deliveries struggling to match the overwhelming need of the population under siege.
Desperation, Injury, and Criticism as GHF Aid Effort Excludes Northern Gaza Residents
Palestinian health officials reported one death and 48 injuries during the incident. Eyewitnesses, like Wafiq Qdeih, described the hopelessness on the ground, emphasizing the impossibility of maintaining order amid such widespread desperation. Others spoke of exhaustion from walking long distances and facing unmanageable crowds, with some expressing gratitude for the limited food they received despite the risks and chaos.
Chaos Erupts at U.S.-Backed Gaza Aid Site as Hunger, Exclusion, and Criticism IntensifyThe GHF claims to have delivered over 462,000 meals so far, with plans to reach 1.2 million people. However, its strategy has been widely criticized. Experts, aid workers, and local NGOs argue the mechanism is impractical and unsafe, especially since it excludes northern Gaza. Critics argue this plays into Israel’s aim of forcing Palestinians southward, thereby exacerbating displacement and insecurity.
Escalating Conflict, Failed Aid Efforts, and Mounting Global Condemnation Over Gaza Crisis Response
The chaos at the aid site comes amid escalating Israeli military operations, with plans to occupy 75% of Gaza and displace the population further south. Wednesday marked 600 days of war since the October 7 Hamas attacks, and international pressure on Israel continues to grow. Critics warn that current aid methods do not comply with humanitarian principles or international law and risk worsening an already catastrophic situation.
UN officials and humanitarian leaders have condemned the GHF-led aid initiative, describing it as inadequate, unsafe, and a diversion from addressing the real issues: reopening crossings, creating safe conditions, and removing bureaucratic barriers to aid delivery. Philippe Lazzarini of UNRWA labeled the scenes at the distribution site as “undignified and unsafe,” while the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs called the GHF plan incompatible with effective humanitarian aid.